Colin mcdougall



i(No Mojdel.)

.0. 'Menon-GALL. l' BUNG' 0R TAPPING DEVICE.

` 110.534.568. "Patenteweb. 19, 1895.

LUNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

OOLIN MODOUG-ALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUNG 0R TAPPING DEVICE.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,568, dated February 19, 1895.

- Application iiled October 2, 1894.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, COLIN McDoUGALL, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bungs or Tapping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in combined bungs and faucets for barrels and casks, and it consists' substantially in such features of construction and combinations of parts'as willhereinafter be more particularly described.`

The invention has reference more especially to that class of bnngs or tapping devices in which the outlet opening or bung-hole of a barrel orcask is normally closed by a valve,

, and which latter is opened to permit outow of the liquid on the insertion of a faucet or aV similar draw-off pipe. A great many devices of this character have been heretofore -devised, but while some are found to be thoroughly effective for the purpose intended, a great many others have proven entirely inadequate to the needs of a perfect bung or tap. One of the principal disadvantages with the faulty kind is that the valve and its actuating spring are extremely liable Ato get out of order or become broken; While still another disadvantage is that in the transportation of the barrel or cask, it is a very easy matter for train hands or other operatives to gain access tothe interior of the barrel or cask by very simple means, thereby causing considerable loss of the liquid contents which otherwise might be saved.

The present invention has for its object .to Xovercome the objections above noted, and to provide a bung and faucet which is so combined that the use of each is essential-to the other, and thereby obviating the loss of the contents of the barrel orcask by theft.

' A further object of the present invention is 'tol-provide a combined bung and faucet which obviates or prevents the discharge of any of the pitch coating of the cask after the coating has been fractured or broken to permit of the liquid contents being drawn off in the usual manner. l L

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combined bung and faucet, the working or internal mechanism of which is maintained free of or out of contact with serial No. 524,773. N0 more.)

,bung and faucet, the latter being shown as about ready to be started or screwed home, and both the inlet and outlet valves of the bung proper being closed. Fig. 3 isasimilar view representing the faucet ordraW-off pipe as being screwed home within thebung, both the inlet and outlet valves ofthe bung proper being shown open. Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail of the inlet valve of the bung,

Vshowing the construction by which the same is operated asphereinafter described. Fig. o'

is a similar view of the outlet valve of the bung, the same indicating the construction of guides by which the movement thereof in the cylinder is insured. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the faucet or .draw-off pipe by which to indicate more particularly the construction of the inner end thereof which [its or screws into the outer end of the bung proper.

In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a tubular shell or cylinder 1, which, as shown at 2 is enlarged, and formed or provided with a screw thread 3 by which the said shell or cylinder is screwed or inserted into the bung-hole of an ordinary barrel or cask, the depth ot' said shell orcylinderbeing usually or preferably about equal to the thickness of the wood of the cask or barrel, or, if desired, the saidA shell or cylinder might be of a little greater depth and extend partly Within the interior of said cask or barrel,

which latter is indicated by the letter A. As

is usual with beer and ale casks, the interiors thereof are from time-to time lined or coated `with pitch or other similar material so as to preserve the same from the effects of the `contained liquids, andas ordinarily constructed heretofore, it hasbeen quite difficult to prevent some of the pitch or lining of the cask or barrel being drawn off with the contents after the tapping of the keg or barrel has been effected.

As will hereinafter more fully appear, by my construction, Whenever acask or barrel is tapped for thepurpose of drawing off the liquid contents thereof, the interior lining or coating of the cask or barrel is so evenly cut or fractured by the act of tapping the barrel or cask, that not even the slightest particle of the pitch or other lining of the vessel will be drawn off with the liquid. This is a valuable desideratum in this class of inventions, and as hereinafter more particularly pointed out, it will be seen in what manner I accomplish the same.

Referring back to the shell or cylinder 1, it will be seen that at the forward or outer end thereof, there is an annular liange 4 which forms a sealed joint with the keg or cask in which the bung is fitted, while at the inner end thereof there is a cap piece or cover 5, which is provided with a short screwthreaded portion 6, screwing into the inner end of the bung, substantially as shown, and forming a sealed or kclosed connection therewith. Instead of this form of connection between the closing cap and the inner end of the bung or cylinder, it is evident that other similar forms of connection might be emV ployed, but such as is herein shown has been found to be simple and practical in use.

In referring to the bung and the shell or cylinder, it will of course be understood that the same thing is meant, and as will hereinafter appear all of the working or operative devices of my invention are protected from the clogging effect of the pitch with which the barrel is frequently lined,also the liquid contentsof the barrel or cask, and in order that the said contents may not become tainted by the' material of which thesaid bung or cylinder is constructed, the latter may, if desired be coated with some non-corrosive substance for the purpose.

The closing cap or cover 5 is formed or provided with a central circular opening 6 surrounded on the outer side of the cover or cap by a slanting or beveled ange 7, while on the under surface of said cover or cap is an annular flange or rim 8 which surrounds the circular opening 6, and outside of which and nearer to the edge or perimeter of the said cap or cover is an annular flange 9, the said concentriciianges 8 and 9 serving to hold between them a cushion or gasket 10 made of rubber or other suitable material.

With the exception of the short screwthreaded portion which receives the screw-- threaded portion 6 of the cap, the inner surface of the shell or bung is smooth, but at the outer end thereof, and interiorly of the annular iiange l there is also a screw-thread 12 designed to receive the projectingv nipple of the faucet or draw-off pipe as will hereinafter be more particularly explained.

The sides of the shell, cylinder, or bung, are cast or formed with diainetrically opposite guidev channels 13, 13 in which is guided and maintained in position the combined inlet Valve and bolt hereinafter described.

Seated within the bung or cylinder, and located at the outer end thereof is the outlet valve 15 which, as shown, is in the form of a spider having a short tubular portion 16, and a circular flange 17 from which ribs 18 project at regular or certain intervals. The dimensions of this outlet valve are such that the ribs 1S exactly fit within the tubular body of the shell or bung, while there are spaces between these ribs which permit of the outward dow of the liquid when the valve is forced inward by the act of inserting the faucet or drawoff pipe; also contained within the bung or cylinder is a spiral spring 19 which, as shown, fits around the tubular portion 16 of the outlet valve, and is thereby held in central position, it being by the tension of this spring that both the said outlet valve, and the inlet valve (about to be described) are normally held in their closed or outward positions prior to the insertion of the faucet or draw off pipe.

Passing or extending within the cylinder or bung, and also extending centrally of the spiral spring 19 is a stem 20 which is formed or provided ator near its upper end with an inlet valve or head 2l, having diametrically opposite guide teats21 which fit and workwithin the channels 13, 13, of the cylinder or bung, and which said valve or head is formed or provided on its upper surface with an annular ridge which coincides with the cushion or gasket 10 and serves to maintain a close joint between the cap or cover 5 when the latter is screwed tightly into place. For the lower portion of its length the stem 2O is screw-threaded, and when the parts are in position previous to the insertion of the faucet or draw-off pipe, the outer end of said stem is flush or nearly so with the outer surface of the outlet valve 15, and the upper projecting portion 22 of the stem is also at the same time a little beyond the annular slanting or beveled flange 7 which surrounds the circular opening 6 in the closing cap or cover 5v hereinbefore referredl to. In this position it will be undersood that the spiral spring 19 is compressed, and in order for the contents of the cask or barrel to be withdrawn, it is of course necessary that the outlet valve of the bung be opened.

It will be seen from the construction thus far explained that the movement or working of the parts is in a direct line and that by virtue of the guides provided for both the inlet and outlet valves, no improper or undesirable working of the parts can take place.

It will further be seen that both of the valves as Well as their operating spring are inclosed and out of contact with the liquid contents of the barrel or keg, and that the latter can be lined or coated interiorly with pitch or other suitable substances usually employed for the purpose. As thus arranged, within the side or bung-hole of a barrel or cask, it will be seen that by virtue of the beveled tiange 7 of the cap or cover 5 whenever the projecting portion 22 of the stem 2Q is forced inwardly, the effect will be to exert a shearing or Well defined fracture of the in- IOO terior hardened coating of pitch or other substance, and to completely cut away the coating from around the opening in such manner as to leave no overhanging or projecting portions. In this way, when the contained liquid is drawn off, no small particles of the pitch or coating will be drawn off with it, and thus is great annoyance overcome.

In order to provide a ready means of opening and closing the inlet and outlet valves of the bung or cylinder l, I provide a faucet or draw-off pipe 25 preferably straight and somewhat enlarged and tapered at 26 so as to conform to the shape and size of said bung or cylinder. The said faucet or draw-off pipe is formed or provided at its inner end with a nipple 27 which is screw-threaded at 28 in conformity withy the screw-thread l2 on the interior of the liiange 4, and said nipple or screw-th read is broken at opposite points indicated at 26a, so as to form ports through which the liquid can escape to the pipe whenever the said faucet is properly inserted. Formed with or extending within said screwthreaded nipple is a concentric nipple 29 which is screw-threaded interiorly in conformity with the screw thread of the stem 20, the construction and arrangement being such that when the nipple of the faucet is first inserted and screwed in a short way no effect will be had upon the outlet valve, but by continued turning of the faucet the said outlet valve will be forced inward against the action of the spring, and the ports in the end or sides of the faucet will be brought into communication with the interior of the bung before the inlet valve 2l has evenY started. Thus by screwing the faucet all the way in the said inlet valve is drawn inwardly by the action of the inner concentric nipple 29 screwing onto the threaded stem 20, and it will be seen that no liquid can pass into the bung from the cask until the faucet has been screwed home.

That part-'ofthe stem which is screw-A threaded, I will designate by the numeral 30 and inasmuch as it is desirable that the inlet and outlet valves of the bung should be opened to their fullest capacity by the time the faucet or draw off pipe is screwed home, the inclination of the screw-threaded portion 30 of the stem is of course greater than the inclination of the screwthread of the faucet nipple owing to the differences of the diameters of the two. Thusthe eect is that by the time the faucet or draw-off pipe is screwed home, the inlet valve has been drawn in to allow the liquid to pass within the cylinder or bung, while at the same time, the end of the faucet nipple has operated upon or against the outer face of the outlet valve, and the liquid escapes into the ports of the nipple which of course communicate with the interior of the draw-off pipe, and in ythis way the liquid contained in the cask or barrel can be drawn oft at any time in the manner usual in this class of inventions. Surroundingthe faucet nipple and resting against the enedge of the beveled liange 7 of the cap or cover 5, and consequently when the faucet is inserted and screwed home, the withdrawal'of the said projecting portion of the stem necessarily loosens and cuts out a correspondingly shaped piece or portion of the interior coating of the cask or barrel, no loose portions 'being left to pass out with the liquid when the latter is drawn off. This explanationis simply made in order that there will be no misunderstanding as to the working and operation of the invention. The barrels or casks are ordinarily provided with the bung as herein described,.while the faucets are usually held by the party to whom the casks are 4shipped or sent, so unless the operatives or attendants of the railroads happen to know how to open the bungs, and are provided with the properkind of faucet, it will be impossible for any of the contents of the casks or barrels to be withdrawn in transit.

In order to tap the cask or barrel the screwthreaded nipple is inserted and -screwed up into theannular flange 4t, whereupon the face or edge thereof contacts with the outlet valve, and forces the latter inward, and then by continued screwing up of the faucet the screwthreaded portion 30 of the stem is received in the interiorly screw-threaded concentric nip-V ple 29, with the result that the inlet valve of the bung is drawn inwardlynot, however,until after the inward movement of the outlet valve i has been etfected.- As before stated the inclinations of the threads of the stern and nipple are so proportioned with respect to their diameters that the full opening of the inlet valve will about coincide with the screwing up of the faucet, thereby preventing leakage which would occur if the inlet valve' was opened before the complete sealing of the faucet. l

The terms valve and outlet valveas applied to the element .15 herein is used only in the sense that the same serves as a cut-off to prevent any leakage or escape of liquid through the bung after the liquid in the bung reaches a level lower than will permit outward conductivity thereof by the screw-thread 30 of the stem 20.

It isthought from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that the construction and operation of my invention will be fully understood.

The various minor details in the construc- IIO tion could be altered in immaterial degrees, and I therefore do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details herein shown and described.

What I claim isl. A bung for barrels or casks, the same comprising a cylinder or shell provided at each end with a normally closed valve, said valves opening inwardly or toward each other and a faucet or draw-off pipe fitting one end of said cylinder or shell and adapted to open both valves when the same is screwed up or inserted, substantially as described.

2. A bung for barrels or casks, the same comprising a cylinder or shell enlarged at one end and screw-threaded exteriorly, and provided at each end with a normallyclosed valve, said valves opening inwardly or toward each other and a faucet or draw-oft' pipe fitting said cylinder or shell and adapted to open the valves one in advance of the other when the said pipe is screwed up or inserted, substantially as described.

3. A bung for barrels or casks, the same comprising a cylinder or shell provided interiorly at each end with a normally closed valve, the valves opening inwardly or toward each other and a faucet or draw-o pipe fitting one end of said cylinder or shelland adapted to open both valves when forced into place, the said faucet or pipe being provided with ports communicating with the shell, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

4. A bung for barrels orcasks, the same comprising a cylinder or shell having at its inner end a central opening bordered by a sharp projecting Bange, a normally closed inlet valve, the stem of which protrudes through said opening beyond the ange, a normally closed outlet valve, and a faucet or draw-off pipe adapted when screwed up or forced into place to withdraw said stem and open both valves, substantially as described.

5. In a bung for barrels or casks, the combination of a cylinder or shell interiorly screw-threaded for a short distance at one end and closed at the opposite end by a screw-cap having a central opening, an inlet valve located within said shell, the stem of which normally closes said central opening and is screwthreaded for a portion of its length, an outlet valve located at the opposite end of the shell and receiving the screw-threaded end of the stem, a spring normally closing both valves, and a faucet or draw-off pipe adapted when screwed hoine to withdraw said stem and open both valves, substantially asvdescribed.

6. A bung for barrels or casks, the same comprising a cylinder or'shell having diametrically opposite guides, an outlet valve formed with projecting teats and intermediate spaces, an inlet valve having projections fitting the guides and formed with a screwthreaded stem, a screw-cap closing the inner end of the shell,and a faucet or drawoff pipe provided with a nipple screw-threaded exteriorly to fit the shell, and having an internal thread fitting the thread of the valve stem, substantially as described.

'7. A bung for barrels or caslzs, the same comprising a cylinder or shell provided at each end with a normally closed valve, a stem fitted to one of said Valves and screw-threaded for a part of its length, and a faucet or drawod pipe provided with a nipple having internal and external screw threads of different inclinations, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

8. A bung for casks or barrels comprising a cylinder or shell having at its inner end an opening surrounded by a sharp or beveled shaped flange, a valve the stern of which normally projects through said opening beyond the flange, and a faucet or draw-off pipe adapted When inserted within the cylinder to open said valve and withdraw the stem, substantially as shown and for the purpose described.

9. In a bung for casks or barrels, the combination of the shell enlarged at one end and screw-threaded to receive a faucet, the screwcap closing the inner end of the shell and formed with the central opening, the gasket seated within said cap, the outlet valve at one end of the cylinder, the inlet valve having the stem screw-threaded as described, and the faucet or draw-off pipe having the nipple screw-threaded externally to fit the shell, and screw-threaded internally to receive the valve stem, the said nipple being provided with the ports affording a communication between said draw-off pipe and bung, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' COLIN MODOUGALL.

Witnesses:

T. B. CLARKsoN, ADNA G. BOWEN.

IOO 

